Luce Bay was designated a Special Area of Conservation in 2005 because its habitats and associated species are of European importance, and its sand banks, reefs and boulders support a wide variety of plants, birds and animals.
There are often seals in the bay. Otters can also occasionally be seen in the wild along Luce Bay shores.
Dumfries and Galloway has much to offer bird watchers. A number of RSPB reserves are within easy reach of our cottages. Throughout the year a wonderful array of birds visit the area, and the RSPB sites, the Mull of Galloway, Ken Dee Marshes, Mersehead and Wood of Cree, supply a wide range of habitats.
Wigtown Bay, a mixture of salt marsh, mud flats, salt flats and freshwater wetland, is the largest Local Nature Reserve in Britain, and is the winter home for large flocks of geese.
Galloway is one of the few remaining strongholds for the endangered red squirrel. As yet they are safe here from the greys and to catch sight of one is a delight. In the Galloway Forest Park majestic wild goats scramble on the rocks, and there are recommended viewing spots to watch the herd of Red Deer that roam there. The Luce, the Cree and the Bladnoch are salmon rivers and it is possible to arrange fishing permits in the season.
Wild flowers flourish on the sea shore and in the hedgerows. The peatbogs support interesting and specific plant-life, and in late summer the moors are purple with heather.